The wheels of justice continue to turn slowly for Gilbert Amezquita — but this time, it's a slowdown of his own design.

Amezquita was released from prison in November after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that the evidence in the aggravated assault case that sent him to prison for eight years actually pointed to another man.

Perry approved the pardon on Aug. 17, qualifying Amezquita for compensation under the state's wrongful-conviction law.

But as eager as they were for Perry's signature, Amezquita and his attorney, Roland Moore of Houston, aren't rushing to claim that compensation just yet. State lawmakers this year increased the amount of compensation from $25,000 to $50,000 for each year of incarceration.

However, the law doesn't go into effect until Sept. 1. So, by waiting until after that date to file his compensation application with the state Comptroller's Office, Amezquita will be eligible to receive up to $400,000 rather than the $200,000 he had first anticipated, according to his lawyer.

A spokesman for the Comptroller's Office confirmed that the rate of payment is based on when an application is filed, rather than when a pardon is received.